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DARIEN -- Longtime Darien athlete Mike Loura has competed in more than 40 triathlons. The one he did last weekend was different: for the first time, he competed as a para-athlete.

He was one of eight para-athletes who competed in a sea of more than 400 racers at the 28th-annual Dave Parcells Madison Triathlon on Sept. 7 in Madison. He finished his half-mile swim in Long Island Sound, 13-mile hand-pedaled bike ride and 3-mile wheelchair race in a little more than two hours

This was his first triathlon since he was hit by a car while training on his bike for an Iron Man race. His back was broken, leaving him paralyzed from his chest down.

"Ever since then, I've been trying to get back into shape to get back into the sport," Loura, 44, said.

It took a long time to get there. Last year, he joined a para-triathlon club run by Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, where he had received treatment, and the Greater Hartford YMCA. Katie Joly, the program manager for the sports association Gaylord runs, said participating in sports helps athletes who become disabled get back to a regular life.

"The initial focus (after an accident) is being able to get themselves around and essentially functioning independently on a regular basis," Joly said. "Once they do that, they need to get back into their regular life."

Loura had to learn not only how to function without his lower body, but also to operate the hand cycle and racing wheelchair. The latter was the toughest obstacle to overcome.

"That one took a lot more work and effort because it is very tippy and chances are you will fall in this chair," Loura said, adding that he was so focused on not falling that he never did.

On the day of the race, Loura said he felt some anxiety about it, especially the swim segment when everyone is on top of each other in the water kicking one another and fighting the waves and currents. He said it's the hardest part of the race for him.

"I'm pretty much a tugboat in the water," Loura said. "I have arms and everything else is lagging behind."

Loura dedicated the race to his Uncle Gus, who he said is fighting cancer.

"I wanted to let him know that no matter what happens, you can beat whatever obstacle," Loura said. "So I'm hoping that this will help him get through his ordeal."

The para-athlete division at the Madison triathlon is the first of its kind in Connecticut, according to Joly. Para-athletes compete in other races around the state, but those don't include the added division. The Madison Jaycees, who helped sponsor the race, altered the race course to accommodate the para-athletes, by giving them a separate transition space that is paved and not as cramped to allow for a change in equipment.

"We hope that other races will start to learn about this and start to offer accommodations for para-athletes," Joly said.

Loura hopes to continue racing in triathlons.

"So long as my body lets me do it," Loura said. "It's a good healthy lifestyle to be in and the people are really great."